Right care, first time, where you live program on the North Coast

Recently, the first of three workshops for the Right care, first time, where you live program was delivered. Healthy North Coast was selected as one of eight urban and regional areas across Australia to be part of the Right care, first time, where you live program, delivered by the University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind

Celebrating the legacy and impact of the Coffs Harbour Women’s Health Centre

Healthy North Coast is proud to celebrate the long-standing success of the Coffs Harbour Women’s Health Centre – operated by Health Voyage – which has been delivering dedicated, women-centred primary health services in the region for nearly 40 years. Since its establishment, the Centre has become a vital part of the local health landscape, offering

Go4Fun Online: A great referral option to lead families towards healthier lifestyles

Go4Fun Online is a free healthy lifestyle program that has undergone some recent changes to better support families with healthy living. The program supports primary school-aged children and their families to eat healthily and be more physically active. It includes 10 online sessions, supported by a weekly health coach, and connection with an online community.

Accessing drug and alcohol services for a healthier future: Supporting youth and people new to treatment

As young people navigate the complexities of adolescence, they face a variety of challenges that can affect their social, emotional, and physical wellbeing. One of the most pressing issues is substance use, including alcohol and other drugs. At this crucial stage of development, youth are at a higher risk of developing harmful patterns of use

Community-led diabetes education day delivers big impact in Ballina

Pictured L-R: Julie-Ann and Sheena (dietetic students) and Bullinah’s dietician Kate Richards.   Bullinah Aboriginal Health Service recently hosted a successful ‘Diabetes Management and Education Day’ in Ballina, bringing together community members, health professionals, and partner organisations to support better outcomes for people living with diabetes. With more than 25 community members attending, the day

Clearing the air: Supporting a vape-free future

As youth vaping continues to raise concern across Australia, innovative, culturally responsive programs like Clouded Minds are stepping up to make a difference. This award-winning initiative equips young people with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make informed choices, supporting healthier, vape-free futures.   Cancer Council NSW reports that 68% of 14-17 year olds have

Help shape the future of sepsis research in Australia

Every 20 minutes, an Australian is admitted to ICU with sepsis. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that affects 55,000 Australians each year, leading to 8,700 deaths – that’s 3 times more than common cancers and 4 times more than road trauma. The National Critical Care Research (NCCR) Collaboration is undertaking a new consultation – Shaping Sepsis

Community Carers & Responders (CCRs) Training Opportunities

The Community Carers & Responders (CCR) Network builds grassroots disaster resilience by training and linking volunteer leaders. Participate in over five free training days covering self-care, disaster skills, community-building, emergency communications, and food-water-energy security, plus certified first-aid and psychological first-aid participants gain practical know-how and a starter kit. Graduates are then supported to run their

New animation supports better bereavement care

A new animated video launched by End-of-Life Essentials (EOLE) at Flinders University helps to equip health professionals with the tools to respond to grief with care and confidence. Developed in consultation with bereavement care experts and a family caregiver who generously shared his own experience, the animation supports the broader goal of the EOLE project,

Macksville Medical Centre celebrates 50 years

Lesa Hennessey remembers being rushed to the Macksville Medical Centre, covered in blood and glass in the back of her grandma’s car, when she was five years old. She’d fallen over a milk jug at the family farm and glass was embedded in her chest. The scars that remain are a tangible reminder of this

Chronic and Complex Care Forum 2025: Empowering primary care for a stronger, healthier North Coast

On Saturday 31 May 2025, around 100 health professionals gathered on Gumbaynggirr Country at Pacific Bay Resort, Coffs Harbour, for the Chronic and Complex Care Forum 2025 – a full-day event focused on strengthening the region’s capacity to manage chronic and complex health conditions. The event brought together general practitioners, nurses, allied health professionals and

Are your patients screening for bowel cancer?

Bowel cancer is state’s second deadliest cancer yet only 2 out of every 5 people eligible for the test in NSW are currently participating. The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program’s lifesaving test is quick and easy to do and can be completed at home in minutes. Those who have done it before are almost three